Healthy Dog Treats from the Fridge

Looking for some healthy dog treats for your beloved pooch? Treats for dogs don't have to come in prepackaged bags or cans. You already have several healthy and natural dog treats in your home and you may not even know it. There are many easy treats for dogs in a most unexpected place - your fridge. I've given both of my dogs each of the following healthy treats with great success.

Carrots

Carrots aren't just bunny food, they also make fantastic healthy treats for dogs. According to a study in the August 2000 edition of the Journal of Nutrition, beta carotene helps boost a dog's immune system. Carrots are packed with beta carotene and they also are crunchy, which can help clean plaque off your dog's teeth. You can give your dog a whole carrot as a treat, or cut them up in small circles to use as training treats (small treats you reward your dog with when he has performed a requested task).

Unsweetened Non-Fat Yogurt

Most people know that yogurt is good for their digestive system. It's also a healthy natural dog treat for the same reason. Several studies, including one that appeared in the Journal of Nutrition, have shown that probiotics are a healthy addition to canine diets. Avoid sweetened yogurts since sugar can promote diabetes in dogs and some artificial sweeteners are toxic in dogs. You can freeze yogurt in cubes for a healthy dog treat in summer, or just put a dollop in a bowl for your dog to enjoy.

Apples

Whole or cut up apples are a fantastic low-fat and easy dog treat. They provide natural energy and necessary fiber and vitamins for dogs. It doesn't hurt dogs if they eat the skins and stems of apples. You may have heard that apples seeds contain cyanide, which is true. However, the amount of this toxin in apple seeds is very small and only exposed if the seed pod is chewed. Since people and dogs normally swallow apple seeds whole, the risk of poisoning is minimal at best.

Cranberries

Fresh, whole cranberries or dried, unsweetened cranberries make great treats for dogs. Cranberries are high in anti-oxidants that promote heart health in both humans and dogs. This healthy dog treat works especially well for training because of their small size. Adding cranberries as a natural dog treat to your dog's daily diet may be especially healthy for him if your dog suffers from frequent urinary tract infections.

Water Packed Sardines

You might think sardines are smelly and distasteful, but odds are your dog will think he's hit the jackpot with this healthy dog treat. Sardines are a fantastic source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids and calcium, which are all essential for canine health. Choose water packed over oil to cut down on fat to make this easy dog treat as healthy as possible for your pooch.

Don't be discouraged if your dog turns his nose up at one of these suggestions. Dogs, like people, have personal palates. If your pup doesn't care for carrots, see what he thinks of apples. Always remember that treats should be given to your dog in moderation. Too much of any food is never good for your dog. Each of these healthy dog treats will ensure you are giving your dog the healthiest dog snacks available.

Sources:

Learning ability in aged beagle dogs is preserved by behavioral enrichment and dietary fortification: a two-year longitudinal study
Neurobiology of Aging, Volume 26, Issue 1, Pages 77-90
N.Milgram, E.Head, S.Zicker, C.Ikeda-Douglas, H.Murphey, B.Muggenburg, C.Siwak, D.Tapp, C.Cotman
Journal of Nutrition. 2000;130:1910-1913.
Dietary ß-Carotene Stimulates Cell-Mediated and Humoral Immune Response in Dogs

Boon P. Chew2, Jean Soon Park, Teri S. Wong, Hong Wook Kim, Brian B. C. Weng, Katherine M. Byrne, Michael G. Hayek and Gregory A. Reinhart

The Journal of Nutrition Vol. 128 No. 12 December 1998, pp. 2730S-2732S
The Use of Probiotics in the Diet of Dogs1
Vincent Biourge2, Céline Vallet, Anne Levesque, Renaud Sergheraert, Stéphane Chevalier*, and Jean-Luc Roberton*

Neurobiol Aging. 2002 Sep-Oct;23(5):737-45.
Dietary enrichment counteracts age-associated cognitive dysfunction in canines.
Milgram NW, Zicker SC, Head E, Muggenburg BA, Murphey H, Ikeda-Douglas CJ, Cotman CW.